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Books and literature

Books and literature
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Books and literature. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Heated Rivalry director-screenwriter Jacob Tierney and Rachel Reid, whose books are the basis of the series, are pictured in New York on April 18, 2026. The pair talk about the success of the HBO Max show based on Reid’s Game Changers book series, the joy of writing sex scenes and sequels in the works. Photo: Invision/AP
TV shows and streaming video

‘Sex is a language in this show’: Heated Rivalry’s Rachel Reid and Jacob Tierney

Author Rachel Reid and director Jacob Tierney talk about writing sex scenes, realising they had something big, and upcoming sequels.

Hong Kong

Poison books: Hong Kong joins the search for Victorian-era arsenic-laced tomes

Chinese culture

As I see it | How ancient Chinese philosophers make sense of modern headaches

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Architecture and design

How the Beckhams and Ellen DeGeneres are inspiring the cottagecore trend

Brands like LoveShackFancy and Summerill & Bishop are embracing the aesthetic, while even Meghan Markle has her own line of orchard-inspired products.

Cottagecore’s appeal lies in its promise of escape: a quieter life, closer to nature. Photo: Handout
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What happened when Ann Hui adapted Eileen Chang’s classic stories?

Director Ann Hui has adapted three of Eileen Chang’s stories for the big screen. We look at two: Love in a Fallen City and Eighteen Springs.

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Chinese culture

As I see it | How to win friends and influence people in ancient China

Although the ancient text Guiguzi may not be widely read, its contents remain a prescient guide for job interviews, marketing and even diplomacy.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet RoseMarie Terenzio, close friend of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette

As the obsession over FX’s Love Story continues, some are turning to Terenzio’s books – JFK Jr and Fairy Tale Interrupted – for a more accurate account of ‘America’s prince’ and his wife.

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RoseMarie Terenzio, who wrote JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography with Liz McNeil (right), pictured with JFK Jr in New York (left). Photos: @rmterenzio, @lizmcneil6/Instagram
Luxury brands

A new monograph celebrates the storied legacy of shoemaker Roger Vivier

The book takes you inside the world of the brand, and its launch coincided with the opening of Maison Vivier, a restored hotel particulier in Paris.

The Netherlands

Lost remains of French musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found in Dutch church

DNA testing is under way to verify ⁠the skeleton. D’Artagnan, fictionalised in Alexandre ⁠Dumas’ novel The ⁠Three Musketeers, died in 1673.

Fame and celebrity

Who was Lauren Bessette, Carolyn Bessette’s sister who died with her?

Ryan Murphy’s Love Story charts the whirlwind romance between Carolyn and JFK Jr – and new episodes feature Lauren Bessette, played by Sydney Lemmon.

Lauren Bessette died in the tragic plane crash that also killed her sister, Carolyn Bessette, and the latter’s husband, John F. Kennedy Jr. Photos: Facebook; AP
Locals' Guide

Insider’s guide to Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Derelict houses reborn as hip cafes and a showcase for local fashion talent are some of the draws in Johor’s capital, actress Debbie Goh reveals.

Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

The ‘soju artist’ teaching the world to drink soju with an English guide

‘Soju artist’ Kim Wan-jun has published the English translation of his book on the drink’s history, etiquettes and social rituals.

China society

As I see it | Rescuing a key Confucian text from centuries of ignominy

The release of an authoritative translation of Kongzi Jia Yu finally places a once-suspected forgery among the traditional canon.

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Art

They were both couriers. One wrote a bestselling book, the other made a film

I Deliver Parcels in Beijing author Hu Anyan and videographer Kong Yiu-wing talk about making art out of hard, blue-collar labour.

I Deliver Parcels in Beijing author Hu Anyan (left) and Hong Kong food delivery driver and filmmaker Kong Yiu-wing meet in Hong Kong before Hu’s speech at the 2026 Hong Kong International Literary Festival. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Fame and celebrity

Horrible stuff, some fun, then awful again: Christina Applegate’s life story

American actress Christina Applegate opens up about abuse, trauma and living with multiple sclerosis as she releases her memoir.

FILE - Christina Applegate appears at the Annual Backstage at the Geffen Gala in Los Angeles on March 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
Food and Drinks

Eat, read, discuss: welcome to the rise of literary dinners in Hong Kong

Food and books are being combined to turn a solitary pastime into a tasty one that fosters connection and discussion for Hongkongers.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses

BookTok may have criticised her for a lack of representation and problematic themes in her works, but the Jewish writer has sold 75 million copies of her books.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Larry David’s daughter Cazzie David, who just published a new book

The eldest daughter of the Curb Your Enthusiasm star famously dated Pete Davidson before he moved on to Ariana Grande.

Larry David’s daughter Cazzie David has a new book out. Photo: @cazziedavid/Instagram
Art

‘Beautiful and unexpected’: join Pulitzer Prize winner on a Hong Kong stroll

‘Trust’ author Hernan Diaz talks about his lauded 1920s New York-set novel and architectural power symbols on his first visit to Hong Kong.

Trending in China

China Qing era spawned female authors, poets, despite restrictions on women in arts

Like much of the world, China experienced a notable rise in women authorship during the 19th century, with three poets making a particularly profound impact.

Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

From armour to art, ‘Samurai’ at the British Museum traces the Japanese elite class’ evolution and cultural impact, from anime to Star Wars.

A samurai suit of armour and helmet are seen at “Samurai”, a new exhibition at London’s British Museum running until May 4.
Asian diaspora

How Asian-American couple’s Tubby Nugget went from silly doodle to viral fame

The husband-and-wife creators of Tubby Nugget reflect on their character’s incredible success as they release their first graphic novel.

A image of Tubby Nugget with his dog, Hunter, from the Tubby Nugget Instagram account. Photo: Instagram/tubbynugget
Hong Kong

War zones, jingles and litter picking – the HKILF’s literary legend visits

Weird and wonderful real-life tales of authors who have appeared at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, from Margaret Atwood to Salman Rushdie.

Wellness

Parents of Hong Kong’s ‘Girl Behind the Face’ finally share their story

Mui Thomas’s story of living with a rare skin disease has moved many. Now, her adoptive parents share why they ignored advice to ‘walk away’.

India

Indian author Amitav Ghosh publishes first novel in 7 years. Why so long?

Ahead of his Hong Kong International Literary Festival appearance, Ghosh talks about his new book Ghost-Eye and re-reading earlier works.

Amitav Ghosh says he was “desperate to get back to fiction”, something he has done with the publication of his new novel, Glass-Eye. Photo: Mathieu Genon
Fame and celebrity

Meet Charlotte Mellington, who plays young Catherine in Wuthering Heights

The 14-year-old stars in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel alongside Owen Cooper, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Charlotte Mellington plays a young Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights. Photo: @charlotte_mellington/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How these 2 films became classics of Hong Kong’s Chinese folk opera cinema

Love Eterne and Dream of the Red Chamber are two very different ‘huangmei diao’ films from legendary Hong Kong director Li Han-hsiang.

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American cinema

Why does Hollywood keep remaking old stories like Wuthering Heights?

Much like superhero reboots targeted at men, period drama remakes like Wuthering Heights continue to find favour with female audiences.

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